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9-11-13 Technical Advisory Committee Minutes Kalispell Technical Advisory Committee Minutes of September 11, 2013 Page 1 of 6 KALISPELL TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES OF MEETING SEPTEMBER 11, 2013 CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL The meeting of the Kalispell Technical Advisory Committee was called to order at 1:30 p.m. Committee Members Present were: Tom Jentz, Doug Russell, Ed Toavs, Marc Liechti, Dave Prunty, Gary Engman, Cal Scott, Bob Vosen, Tim Larson, Mark Munsinger, John Donoghue, Susie Turner, John Donoghue, Lynn Zanto & Ted Luehr. There were approximately 25 people in the audience. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES Vosen moved and Luehr seconded a motion to approve the minutes of the April 23, 2013 meeting. VOTE BY ACCLAMATION The motion passed unanimously on a vote by acclamation. HEAR THE PUBLIC Joe Unterreiner, Kalispell Chamber of Commerce stated research tells them the availability of transportation infrastructure is among the top economic development areas that contributes to economic growth and job creation. Unterreiner continued after the Montana Transportation Commission meeting in July the chamber convened a group of city, county and state officials who met on August 13th to discuss how important it is to complete Four Mile Drive and the bypass not only for our region but as an important part of the overall Montana transportation system. Unterreiner thanked the city and county for following up with strong resolutions of support. He noted there is broad-based community support and a grassroots effort to gather support of chamber businesses and organizations has started. So far there are 125 businesses that unanimously support these projects and when the list of businesses is complete it will be presented to the Commission at their meeting on September 26th. Unterreiner also had an opportunity to visit with the Governor and Lieutenant Governor who have indicated they will take this issue under advisement and work with our State delegation on a combined letter of support. The Chamber is providing free rides to Helena on September 26, 2013 for anyone who would like to attend and speak up in support of the completion of the US Highway 93 Alternate Route (bypass). John Sinrud stated the Flathead Business and Industry Association also supports the completion of the bypass and the extension of Four Mile Drive and he added we need to get this passed and move forward. Sinrud encouraged as many people as possible contact the Montana Transportation Commission. OLD BUSINESS: None. Kalispell Technical Advisory Committee Minutes of September 11, 2013 Page 2 of 6 NEW BUSINESS: INTRODUCTION: Chairman Jentz said the last Urban Priority Project, constructed with Kalispell funds, was the North Meridian project that was completed in 2006/2007. Since that time the funds, approximately $600,000 per year, have been accumulating. In March 2013 MDT asked the City of Kalispell to select their next Urban Priority Project and at the Kalispell Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) meeting also in March the alternatives were discussed and the committee selected the extension of Four Mile Drive from Kidsports west to Stillwater Road as the next Urban Priority Project. Jentz noted the completion of Four Mile Drive would create a needed east/west link that would provide an alternate access to and from Kidsports to Stillwater Road; would provide another emergency access out of the city to the west; and provide another access into FVCC and to the shopping center to the north. The committee met again in April to add Four Mile Drive to the urban system and then also remove a mile of urban highway. TAC agreed to add Four Mile Drive and also take 3rd and 4th Avenues East off the system and return control of those streets to the local jurisdiction. The city then waited for the Montana Transportation Commission to meet and act on the recommendation. At the commission’s July 26th meeting they chose not to act on the recommendation of Four Mile Drive as Kalispell’s next Urban Priority Project. The concerns raised were that the priorities may need to be reconsidered in Western/Northwestern Montana and that a lot of money had been focused toward and spent on the alternate route (bypass) and maybe other projects should be considered. This left the city without a priority project that could have conceivably been constructed and operational within the next 24 to 36 months and the uncertainty of whether the bypass would be completed. Jentz concluded by saying the focus of the meeting today is for the TAC to review the priorities of Four Mile Drive as the Urban Priority Project and reaffirm the completion of the US Highway 93 Alternate Route as the #1 priority for the Kalispell area. Jentz added it is important that the community come together as a united front and carry this forward to the Montana Transportation Commission at their next meeting on September 26th. REAFFIRMATION OF US 93 ALTERNATE ROUTE AS #1 PRIORITY FOR FEDERAL AND STATE HIGHWAY FUNDING IN KALISPELL Ed Toavs, Missoula District Administrator introduced Kathy Harris, Stelling Engineers and Lynn Zanto, MDT. Toavs noted there is a lot of competition for funding of projects in Western/Northwestern Montana as there are a lot of needs and we have such a short construction season. However, half a bypass doesn’t serve the purpose and intent of the completed bypass which is to: Kalispell Technical Advisory Committee Minutes of September 11, 2013 Page 3 of 6  Reduce US 93 congestion  Provide for planned growth/development  Enhance (non-motorized) connections & scenic views  Improve safety Toavs reviewed the history of the Kalispell Bypass – US 93 Alternate Route and traffic counts with or without the completion of the bypass; the construction that is currently underway; the remainder of the segments that need to be completed; obligated funds through September 2013; and estimates for construction costs to complete the remainder of the project. A handout is attached to the minutes. Important points included:  Four Mile Drive to West Reserve is one of the busiest stretches of highway in the entire state and the 2nd busiest in Western Montana  The portions of the bypass that have been built to date have been funded with special monies and has not tapped the core money that funds projects throughout Western Montana  The US 93 to Reserve Loop portion of the bypass is currently under construction  Three Mile Drive Overpass construction will begin in November 2013 and will be built as a full interchange  There are two remaining phases to make the bypass connection two lanes from US 93 South at Gardner’s all the way to West Reserve. Those are US 2 West to Three Mile Drive and Three Mile Drive to Reserve Loop  The plan also calls for a pedestrian tunnel underneath the bypass that will provide connectivity to and from Glacier High School. Toavs reviewed other high priority projects including rebuilding of the South Fork Bridge near Hungry Horse; completing the Whitefish corridor; and the Ronan Urban project. Although these projects are important they are in steps 2 and 3 out of 10 where as the bypass is at step 9. Toavs added the design for the bypass from US 2 to Three Mile Drive will be completed September of 2014 and the design for the segment from Three Mile Drive to Reserve Loop will be completed by December of 2014. Three R/W parcels are remaining in the Two Mile Drive area and they are hoping to remediate on one of those parcels at the end of this month. The other two parcels are in negotiations. So, Toavs concluded in about a year from now the R/W and designs will be done and the project will be ready for funding. Toavs noted the Montana Transportation Commission received this same information this morning. Toavs is hopeful the commission will review the information and Kalispell Technical Advisory Committee Minutes of September 11, 2013 Page 4 of 6 consider the community support from the local state delegates, county commissioners, city government, the private business delegation and chamber of commerce. STATUS OF FOUR MILE DRIVE FROM KIDSPORTS WEST TO STILLWATER ROAD AS URBAN AID PRIORITY PROJECT Toavs reviewed the discussions that led to the recommendation of Four Mile Drive as the next Urban Priority Project. Rather than accumulate funds for other projects that would cost $15 - $20 million dollars and take years to accumulate with a $600,000 a year allocation the Four Mile Drive connection would cost approximately $3 - $4 million to complete. Toavs described the work involved in the project. All the R/W has already been acquired for a full interchange, with the exception of two sections along Four Mile Drive, and there will not be any traffic to deal with which makes for cheaper construction. Four Mile Drive is a project that can be designed and go to construction in a couple years. The obvious need coupled with ease of deliverability makes a lot of sense. Lynn Zanto, MDT Administrator of the Planning Division noted she manages and oversees the Urban Highway Program which is allocated per State law to areas around the State that have a population of 5,000 or greater which includes Kalispell. Local governments coordinate the priorities and the Montana Transportation Commission has the ultimate approval of those priorities. Kalispell’s last priority was North Meridian Road and since that time the funds have accumulated and the current balance is approximately $2.2 million. Zanto said what was brought to the commission meeting in July was for the commission to classify Four Mile Drive as a future collector and then add it to the Urban Highway System which makes it eligible under State statute for the money that has been accumulated for the next priority. However, the commission was concerned with the six year construction requirement and they asked for additional information and to be informed of the impacts this designation would have to other priorities. She clarified the commission did not table the action they simply took no action. Zanto said what she intends to do at the September meeting is bring back those same actions to the commission and add this project to the program which with commission approval of the project would allow them to move it forward. Should the commission choose to move forward with Four Mile Drive it won’t disrupt the continuing work on the other priority projects previously mentioned. Toavs reviewed the contact information, meeting format and agenda for the September 26th Montana Transportation Commission meeting. Toavs noted that the Montana Department of Transportation Director, Mike Tooley supports finishing the US 93 Kalispell Technical Advisory Committee Minutes of September 11, 2013 Page 5 of 6 Alternate Route and he thinks there will be an opportunity to finish the project. Chairman Jentz thanked Ed Toavs and his staff at MDT and their consultant Stelling Engineers. Jentz added the relationship they currently have with MDT has been absolutely phenomenal and the leadership that Ed has shown to get this project delivered in a timely fashion is unprecedented. Jim Atkinson, Kalispell City Councilman stated he has never seen where the State has supported a local project like this. Atkinson said we owe MDT a round of applause for the help they have given us in preparing us for the September 26th commission meeting. State Senator Bruce Tutvedt stated he attended a meeting with Director Tooley yesterday and Tooley affirmed that he supports the completion of this project. Senator Tutvedt added the community does support the completion of the bypass and we need it. Debbie Street, Project Manager for the Starling master planned community stated they are definitely in support of completion of the bypass and the expansion of Four Mile Drive to Stillwater Road which will really help transportation through and into that area. Jentz said as Ed Toavs and his staff mentioned there is a narrow window to act and we could actually have this entire road system completed. There is a tendency to become complacent but if we don’t act and carry this project through now down the road it will be much more difficult to complete. That is why it is so critical to get involved. Please be there on the 26th and if you can’t send letters, make personal contacts or phone calls. We need to act now. Ted Luehr said this is an incredibly important project. As he looks at the other big cities in Montana most of them have a freeway running through them that acts as a bypass for heavy traffic – Billings, Bozeman, Butte, Dillon, Great Falls, Helena, Missoula even Arlee has a bypass around it. Kalispell does not and when we have a parade in this town – which we do at least 4 or 5 a year - we have to shut down Highway 93. No other city of this size has to do that. We really need the bypass and he fully supports it. MOTION – US 93 ALTERNATE ROUTE Scott moved and Liechti seconded a motion for TAC to reaffirm the US 93 Alternate Route (bypass) in the greater Kalispell Urban Area continues to be our #1 priority project for Federal and State funding. VOTE BY ACCLAMATION The motion passed unanimously on a vote by acclamation. COMMITTEE DISCUSSION Jentz noted that Four Mile Drive is also an incredibly timely project and he added in the last 30 years of his career in this area Four Mile Drive would only be the second urban project for the Kalispell area. Kalispell Technical Advisory Committee Minutes of September 11, 2013 Page 6 of 6 With the allocation of $600,000 per year takes a long time to accumulate money. However, Four Mile Drive is a doable project with a tremendous payback. That is why the committee originally affirmed Four Mile Drive as our #1 priority project. West Reserve, Whitefish Stage and Willow Glen are all great projects but they all have a 20-30 year timeframe. This is a project that will provide immediate relief to a significant part of our community in the next 2-3 years. MOTION – FOUR MILE DRIVE – URBAN PRIORITY PROJECT Donoghue moved and Prunty seconded a motion to reaffirm the TAC committee’s action of March 12, 2013 to recommend that the expansion of Four Mile Drive to Stillwater Road be confirmed as the next Urban Priority Project. VOTE BY ACCLAMATION The motion passed unanimously on a vote by acclamation. UPDATE ON STATUS OF VARIOUS CITY, COUNCY, STATE AND FEDERAL HIGHWAY PROJECTS IN THE AREA Jentz noted the construction currently underway on West Reserve Drive and Highway 93 North is quickly moving along and he asked when the work will be completed. Bob Vosen of MDT said they are ahead of schedule but the weather will play a role in when it will be completed but the contract date for completion is October 3, 2013. Other ongoing and pending projects include:  Whitefish West is continuing  Swamp Creek project has been challenging but it is also moving along and there will be a paved surface for winter  Shady Lane Bridge Replacement, behind Snappy’s will start next month so that road will be closed for a period of time  Whitefish Stage Road will be rebuilt from Hodgson to Highway 40  Baker Avenue in Whitefish  Overlays in Lincoln County  Next summer they hope to let the Kalispell Storm Drain project from Cottonwood to the intersection of MT 35 at Snappy’s to put in a trunk line for a storm drain to drain the water at the McDonald’s Restaurant entrance and those properties to the south. NEXT MEETING DATE The next meeting will be held when necessary. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at approximately 2:40 p.m. /s/ Tom R. Jentz /s/ Michelle Anderson Thomas R. Jentz Michelle Anderson Chairman Recording Secretary The minutes were approved as submitted/amended on _9_/ 23_/2015.